Theresa May and Liam Fox at odds on customs union

Liam Fox, who joined the prime minister on her trade mission to China, had said there should be no new customs union with the EUChris Ratcliffe/EPA

The Tories have been thrown into further turmoil over whether the UK will leave the customs union after two Remainers tabled amendments to Brexit legislation to remain inside — a day after a cabinet minister argued for an exit.

Liam Fox intervened yesterday to say that Britain should not be involved in any customs union with the EU after Brexit, putting himself at odds with the prime minister who appeared to leave the door open to some form of agreement.

Today, Anna Soubry and Ken Clarke tabled amendments to two key pieces of Brexit legislation which, if agreed by MPs, would keep the UK in the customs union after withdrawal.

The move has the backing of a number of Labour MPs, amid intense speculation that…